Raptors top Pacers, improve to 9-3 since Rudy Gay trade

TORONTO, Jan. 1 (Xinhua) — The surging Toronto Raptors continued their turnaround with a 95-82 victory against the league-leading Indiana Pacers on Wednesday night in NBA action.

With the victory, Toronto improves to 9-3 since the seven-player trade with Sacramento that saw the departure of forward Rudy Gay and the arrival of guard Greivis Vasquez and forwards John Salmons, Patrick Patterson and Chuck Hayes.

The 9-3 record ties Toronto with the San Antonio Spurs for the fourth best record over the last 12 games. They trail Miami, Oklahoma City and Phoenix, who each share a 10-2 record. The 9-3 record puts Toronto ahead of division leaders in Portland and Indiana, who each hold an 8-4 record.

When the trade was agreed upon on Dec. 8, the Raptors were in the midst of a season-high five game losing streak and a 6-12 overall record.

Since then, the addition of Vasquez has solidified the backup point guard spot while Patterson and Salmons have provided veteran depth and leadership to one of the youngest team’s in the league.

Others in the NBA have taken notice of the Raptors’ rapid improvements, including Pacers head coach Frank Vogel.

“They’re playing better basketball. You have to give Coach Casey credit, he’s a great coach,” said Frank Vogel after his team’s loss against the Raptors. “He’s doing a great job with this team. They’ve turned the corner.”

During the span, the Raptors have reeled off a season-high four game winning streak, moved into first place in the Atlantic division and picked up road wins against the Mavericks and Thunder.

Pacers All-Star forward Paul George believes that the impact of a trade can affect a team positively or negatively.

“A team can fail because of a big trade like that or a team can improve. You can take it both ways,” said George. “You take guys like Terrence Ross who has been playing behind Rudy (Gay), and he gets a fresh opportunity. He’s playing with amazing confidence. I think they (a trade) could make or break a team and I definitely think they made it with this trade.”

The departure of Gay has resulted in a spike of Ross’ playing time from 18.4 minutes to 29.7 minutes a game. In the new role, the sophomore from University of Washington has increased his production from 6.2 points per game to 12.9.

The emergence of Ross resulted in all five starters finishing the month of December averaging double figures. Forward DeMar DeRozan led the way with 19.6 points in the month.

For DeRozan, he feels that the rejuvenated team has the talent and is capable of beating anyone.

“We understand that if we go out there and play with the intensity that we have in practice we can beat anybody,” said DeRozan after the victory over the Pacers. “That’s the mindset that we have when we play these opponents.”

The Raptors will need to maintain their mindset as they begin a three-game road trip that will see them face three of the top five teams in the East, Washington, Miami and a rematch against Indiana on Jan. 7.

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/sports/2014-01/02/c_133013769.htm